Premier League: Andy Carroll excited to return to action for West Ham after injury 'nightmare'

Andy Carroll admits he wants to put a "nightmare" few months behind him after finally returning to action for West Ham.

Last Updated: 15/01/14 3:47pm

Andy Carroll: Was delighted to return to action at Cardiff on Saturday

The 25-year-old striker came off the bench to play 18 minutes and finally make his Hammers debut in Saturday's 2-0 Premier League win at Cardiff after recovering from a long-term foot injury having joined on a permanent basis from Liverpool in the summer.

And the England man hopes he can help the club pull clear of the relegation zone, starting with victory over his hometown club Newcastle at Upton Park on Saturday.

"It has been a massive nightmare to be honest. I went off to Belgium and then to Holland, to fix it [the injury] but now I am feeling really good and all I want to do is play football," he told the club website.

"I just want to forget about the past months with the injury and just look forward to playing more football for West Ham. I can't stand being on the sidelines. It drives me crazy.

"I tried my best to try and get back to be fit. It was prolonged and I got injured again. So it was disappointing but I am back now so I am concentrating on getting match fit. It was really fantastic to be back out there on Saturday.

"Hopefully I get a few more minutes against Newcastle and we get a win this Saturday too. Yes of course it is nostalgic for me, it is my home town but I am just looking forward to it really, to play again.

"I am just over the moon about a game coming up as I have been out for too long, so it is fantastic to be back."

Carroll said the win at Cardiff showed the spirit of everyone at the club despite previous heavy cup defeats to Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.

"We have had our chances and not taken them and it has not run for us. We have to just forget about everything and look forward now," he added.

"I think everyone could see the commitment of the lads, everyone is training hard and you could see the reaction of what the win meant for all of us, the lads on the pitch, those who didn't play and the staff."